Dustin Johnson confirmed for LIV Golf Invitational Series opener at Centurion

Former world No 1 Dustin Johnson was a surprise inclusion for the opening LIV Golf Invitational Series event in a field which also includes former Masters champion Sergio Garcia, although Phil Mickelson was not on the initial list.

While six-time major champion Mickelson was not on the field list, he could still tee it up at the Saudi-backed league event on June 9-11 at the Centurion Club outside London as six spots in the 48-player tournament remain open.

Among the other notables included are former world No 1s Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, as well as European Ryder Cup veteran Ian Poulter. The final six players will be announced at a later date, LIV Golf said.

World No 13 Johnson, a two-time major champion, is the highest-ranked player in a field that currently includes 26 of the top 150 golfers in the world.

"Free agency has finally come to golf," said LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman. "This is an opportunity to start a movement that will change the course of history by bringing new and open competition to the sport we all love.

"The desire shown by the players to participate in LIV Golf demonstrates their emphatic belief in our model and confidence in what we're building for the future."

Mickelson, 51, has been linked to LIV Golf for months but has been on a self-imposed hiatus from the sport since February – even skipping his title defence at the PGA Championship – amid backlash over comments he made about the PGA Tour and breakaway tour.

Both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have recently declined all requests from members who had asked for releases to compete at Centurion, where $25 million is up for grabs, including $4m for the winner.

Sergio Garcia will compete at Centurion Club. AFP

It is unknown whether those